SACRAMENTO, CA - Lots of Kings fans wanted to say "Thank You" to Mayor Kevin Johnson for what he has done so far for the arena deal.

About 50 fans turned out Monday night to Sacramento International Airport. They sported their purple jerseys, waved their signs and greeted the mayor with a chorus of cheers.

The mayor and the ThinkBigSacramento team returned home from arena negotiations with the league at the NBA All Star game in Orlando.

He thanked many of the fans on his way out of the airport.

Meanwhile, Councilman Rob Fong shared this statement Monday night:

"The tentative agreement with the Kings is a necessary step toward financing and building a new arena. We still have a lot of work to do, but we are so much closer now to making this happen."

By Suzanne Phan, sphan@news10.net

ORLANDO, CA - Sacramento, the Maloofs and NBA have reached a deal on a framework for financing a new arena for the Sacramento Kings.

In Orlando for meetings with the league and the Maloof family, owners of the Sacramento Kings, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said a downtown arena will be built.

Specifics were not revealed; the Think BIG Sacramento contingent will bring the term sheet back  for the city council to discuss and vote on next week.

According to previous reports, pending parking lot revenues, the city of Sacramento will kick in $240 million toward the estimated $387 million venue. Arena operator AEG is penciled in for $40 million to $60 million. At issue was the Maloofs'/Kings' contribution which News10 has learned is $73 million upfront.

An emotional Gavin Maloof spoke after the agreement in Orlando.

"I think it's great for our community. I'm glad that it's finally coming to an end," Maloof said.